An intense winter storm is slated to hit Quebec and Ontario this week, and Canadian airlines are bracing for impact. Air Canada, Porter, Sunwing and WestJet have posted travel alerts in preparation for the inclement weather. Canadians with flights departing from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto between February 22 and 24 are especially advised to check with their carrier before heading to the airport, as some airlines are anticipating cancellations and offering easier rebooking options. Here's how each major airline is reacting to the storm.
Exactly one year ago, a group of wayward Quebec influencers and reality television stars was floundering in Mexico after their mid-air, mid-COVID debauchery on a Sunwing flight to Cancun made headlines across Canada. Quebecers might remember some of the story's principal characters, namely eccentric trip organizer James William Awad and the woman seen on video vaping aboard the aircraft, aspiring pilot Vanessa Sicotte. The absolutely ridiculous story would inevitably become a feature on Bye Bye 2022, Radio-Canada's sketch comedy recap of the previous year. Sicotte shared her reaction to the parody with Narcity Québec.
Sunwing has added a new fee for travellers who want to bring an extra bag in-cabin during a flight. The affordable airline, known for its tropical destination packages, is now charging $25 each way (tax included) for carry-on luggage outside of the usual free personal item, like a purse or small backpack. The rule change came into effect on Monday to discourage people from overcrowding overhead bins.
It's been two months since images of a party on a Sunwing flight to Mexico rocked the Internet perhaps best encapsulated by that iconic photo of a woman in sunglasses vaping on the plane. Between frequent headlines about organizer James William Awad, public apologies and poutine inspired by the affair, the Quebec influencers involved racked up a lot of online attention.